• D-Backs' Robbie Ray says he's ready for start of season

    D-Backs’ Robbie Ray says he’s ready for start of season

  • Zack Greinke on his start vs. Netherlands

    Zack Greinke on his start vs. Netherlands

  • Shelby Miller strikes out 8 vs. Mariners

    Shelby Miller strikes out 8 vs. Mariners

  • D-Backs' Robbie Ray on spring start vs. Brewers

    D-Backs’ Robbie Ray on spring start vs. Brewers

  • Zack Greinke comments on his throwing session

    Zack Greinke comments on his throwing session

  • Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin after spring outing vs. White Sox

    Diamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin after spring outing vs. White Sox

  • Taijuan Walker after latest dominant start for D-Backs

    Taijuan Walker after latest dominant start for D-Backs

  • Zack Greinke on his diminished velocity in start vs. Mexico

    Zack Greinke on his diminished velocity in start vs. Mexico

  • Shelby Miller discusses latest start

    Shelby Miller discusses latest start

  • D-Backs' Taijuan Walker on his latest strong outing

    D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on his latest strong outing

  • D-Backs lefty Patrick Corbin after spring outing vs. Padres

    D-Backs lefty Patrick Corbin after spring outing vs. Padres

  • Shelby Miller on his outing vs. Cubs

    Shelby Miller on his outing vs. Cubs

  • Archie Bradley on strong outing vs. Padres

    Archie Bradley on strong outing vs. Padres

  • Robbie Ray on his spring training debut

    Robbie Ray on his spring training debut

  • Spring training story lines to watch

    Spring training story lines to watch

  • Taijuan Walker throws two innings in spring debut

    Taijuan Walker throws two innings in spring debut

  • Some things about Spring Training season just haven't changed...

    Some things about Spring Training season just haven’t changed…

  • MLB changing intentional walks for 2017

    MLB changing intentional walks for 2017

  • Just the FAQs: Brewers at bullpen

    Just the FAQs: Brewers at bullpen

  • Projecting the 2017 MLB season

    Projecting the 2017 MLB season

  • MLB's 100 Names to Know for 2017

    MLB’s 100 Names to Know for 2017

  • MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on rule changes, MLBPA cooperation

    MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on rule changes, MLBPA cooperation

  • Diamondbacks' Ken Kendrick discusses team's lawsuit

    Diamondbacks’ Ken Kendrick discusses team’s lawsuit

  • D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on Goldschmidt, team's core

    D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on Goldschmidt, team’s core

  • Behind the scenes at Diamondbacks Photo Day

    Behind the scenes at Diamondbacks Photo Day

  • Cubs' Joe Maddon on why it's difficult to repeat

    Cubs’ Joe Maddon on why it’s difficult to repeat

  • Cubs' Joe Maddon on this season's preparation

    Cubs’ Joe Maddon on this season’s preparation

  • A look at Diamondbacks Fan Fest 2017

    A look at Diamondbacks Fan Fest 2017

  • Closer Fernando Rodney throws bullpen session

    Closer Fernando Rodney throws bullpen session

  • Baseball stadiums on the way out or in danger of extinction

    Baseball stadiums on the way out or in danger of extinction

  • Taijuan Walker throws bullpen session at Salt River Fields

    Taijuan Walker throws bullpen session at Salt River Fields

  • Shelby Miller throws bullpen session at Salt River Fields

    Shelby Miller throws bullpen session at Salt River Fields

  • D-Backs bench coach Ron Gardenhire diagnosed with prostate cancer

    D-Backs bench coach Ron Gardenhire diagnosed with prostate cancer

  • D-Backs manager Lovullo on getting started, Shelby Miller

    D-Backs manager Lovullo on getting started, Shelby Miller

  • D-Backs pitcher Archie Bradley talks about his beard

    D-Backs pitcher Archie Bradley talks about his beard

  • D-Backs skipper Torey Lovullo press conference

    D-Backs skipper Torey Lovullo press conference

  • D-Backs pitcher Patrick Corbin reports to spring training camp in Scottsdale

    D-Backs pitcher Patrick Corbin reports to spring training camp in Scottsdale

  • Diamondbacks' pitcher Archie Bradley: "New year. New team. New everything. We're excited."

    Diamondbacks’ pitcher Archie Bradley: “New year. New team. New everything. We’re excited.”

  • D-Backs near crossroads with Goldschmidt

    D-Backs near crossroads with Goldschmidt

  • The best MLB lineup realistic money can buy

    The best MLB lineup realistic money can buy

  • Montini: Diamondbacks' lawsuit is one big error

    Montini: Diamondbacks’ lawsuit is one big error

  • Cubs, coffee and cars: How things have changed since the North Siders last won the World Series

    Cubs, coffee and cars: How things have changed since the North Siders last won the World Series

Nick Ahmed’s potential availability via trade has sparked interest from at least a handful of teams, with the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees all believed to have varying degrees of interest in the Diamondbacks shortstop.

The Diamondbacks have depth at shortstop, with Chris Owings, Ketel Marte and prospect Ildemaro Vargas all options, and Owings has had a red-hot spring, hitting .395 with two homers to give him an apparent leg up on the starting job.

The Padres could use help at the position, and they have a manager in Andy Green who is known to be a fan of Ahmed’s. Green was Ahmed’s manager at Double-A and was the Diamondbacks’ third base coach in 2015. The Padres had a heavy scouting presence at Tuesday’s Diamondbacks game, in which Ahmed started at short.

The Rays lack a plus defender at the position on their major league roster, and starter Matt Duffy is expected to open the season on the disabled list. The Yankees have Didi Gregorius, but he’s expected to miss six weeks with a shoulder injury.

Scouts have been curious about the state of Ahmed’s hip, on which he had major surgery last year.

RELATED: Robbie Ray ‘crisp’ as D-Backs down Royals

Also available

Sources say the Diamondbacks are also listening to offers on reliever Enrique Burgos, who was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Burgos, 26, has a big arm, with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, but has not been able to translate that into consistent results at the big league level. In parts of two seasons, he has logged a 5.27 ERA in 68 1/3 innings with a lot of strikeouts (82) but too many walks (38).

It’s unclear what the Diamondbacks are seeking in return, but the club likely is looking to clear 40-man spots, given that several players on minor league deals are likely to make the Opening Day roster and will need to be added.

Outfielder Socrates Brito (finger) likely could be placed on the 60-day DL, which would free up a spot. But, as it stands, outfielder Gregor Blanco and reliever Tom Wilhelmsen appear to be in good position to win jobs – and several other relievers have thrown well enough to warrant consideration.

CACTUS LEAGUE: Coverage from azcentral sports and ASU’s Cronkite School

Stryker released

The Diamondbacks released former prospect Stryker Trahan last week, cutting ties with the former first-round pick five years after he was taken with the No. 26 overall pick.

After showing promise at the plate during his first two seasons as a pro, Trahan stalled out, hitting .203 in 1,093 at-bats in the lower minors the past three years.

“It was really difficult to release him,” Diamondbacks farm director Mike Bell said. “I think sometimes it’s just time to move on. I think he did everything he could and we certainly did everything we could. It just didn’t work out.”

Trahan, who never advanced beyond High-A, began his career as a catcher, shifted to the outfield then eventually returned behind the plate.

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Short hops

Center fielder A.J. Pollock, who played in a camp game on Monday, had three at-bats in a minor league game Tuesday. He went hitless and wasn’t pleased with the quality of his at-bats, but he said his groin, which has help him out since March 12, felt good. He’s hoping to get back in a Cactus League game by the end of the week.

*With the major league club off on Wednesday, right-handers Shelby Miller and Archie Bradley will pitch in minor league games against the San Francisco Giants.

*Right-hander Evan Marshall was optioned to Triple-A Reno. He had been a candidate for a bullpen spot.

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.

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